Circus is a winner!

April 14, 2007|By Jeff Bahr, American News Writer

The circus with Ringling and Barnum in its name is a different level, of course. But as far as Shrine Circuses go, this year's show in Aberdeen is solid. A couple of times, a veteran journalist could even be heard to say, “Wow.” The music and lighting seem improved, the acts are strong and the show is fast-paced. The Yelduz Shrine Circus runs less than 2 hours and 20 minutes, so parents with young children should consider sticking around past intermission. Speaking of intermission, that break has been shortened, thankfully. At Friday's first show, it was slightly more than 30 minutes. Much of the circus is familiar. Area residents are used to seeing Susan Sheryll's Royal Afghan Champions and Davide Zoppe's Rhesus Monkey Revue. (Those two acts are run by the same people, by the way.) But just because they're familiar doesn't mean they're not entertaining. It's still very funny when a monkey loses his trousers. Canines are a key part of the show. A clown named Kikin is accompanied by a very smart poodle that's dressed as an elephant. For a long time, it's not clear if the elephant is a mechanical toy or a living creature. The kids love it. And the leaping Afghans are unbelievably graceful. It must take a lot of work to keep those dogs groomed. Motors are another part of the show's success. A motorcyclist rides an elevated rope with a woman hanging beneath him. Seeing the two of them twirl completely around is a crowd-pleaser. Also enjoyable is a clown who does a very inventive trick with four men from the audience. The kids also like watching an elephant walk on his back legs. The circus' two elephants are trained by the show's producer, George Cardin. The women in the circus are more clothed this year, and in interesting attire. Early in the show, the ladies wear marching band uniforms as they twirl batons. Later, four couples dress in Spanish clothing. And at the end, the women wear racing outfits. The show doesn't seem to be missing anything. At one point, all three rings are filled with jugglers, hoop performers and a man who spins balls on his fingers. All three of those acts are sharp. At intermission, as usual, youngsters can ride elephants and ponies, and have their picture taken with an albino Burmese python. They can also experience airbrush facepainting with a “temporary liquid tattoo.” The finale is expected: The steel globe filled with motorcyclists is still worthwhile. Watching the globe with cyclists whizzing around inside brings to mind a loud and busy hive. With six motorcyclists tearing around inside, that is one crowded globe. But following circus tradition, ringmaster Alberto Valencia is guilty of hyperbole. He announces that a sixth motorcyclist is about to enter the globe “for the first time anywhere.” Come on, now. Anywhere?